The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released photos of its investigators combing through wreckage at the site of the February 9th helicopter crash that killed four people, including leading Nigerian banker Herbert Wigwe.
The Airbus EC130 helicopter went down close to the California-Nevada border near Halloran Springs, killing Access Bank CEO Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi Wigwe and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Recall that Michael Graham, a board member with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), provided an update on Sunday when he said they had visited the site and outlined the activities conducted on the first full day of investigation at the accident site. These included aerial drone mapping, site documentation, and a detailed examination of the debris field by the airworthiness group.
The debris field, approximately 100 yards in length, had contained all major components of the helicopter, including rotor blades, transmission, engine, tail rotor, landing gear skids, and various avionics components.
Analysis of flight track data revealed that the helicopter had been traveling along Interstate 15 at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 feet above ground level before initiating a slight right turn south of the interstate. Subsequently, the data had indicated a gradual descent and increasing ground speed, with the flight track ending approximately 4 miles from the wreckage location.
The wreckage site had indicated that the helicopter had impacted the terrain in a nose-low and right bank angle. Various electronic devices and onboard equipment had been recovered for further examination and analysis. The NTSB had planned to coordinate the movement of the wreckage to a secure location on Tuesday for further investigation.
As part of the investigative process, a preliminary report on the accident had been expected within 30 days, with a full NTSB investigation lasting 12 to 24 months before a final report is issued. Further updates on the investigation will be provided by the NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC.
